Royal Caribbean Cruise – Freedom of the Seas

I wanted to share pictures and the fun had on my first cruise! It was a Royal Caribbean Cruise to the Western Caribbean. We left out of Fort Lauderdale and went to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Labadee Haiti, Grand Cayman and Costa Maya Mexico. I went on the cruise with some friends in January 2009. I know! So long ago! But, I did go on another one last year, Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas out of Baltimore, MD.

At the time of the cruise, Freedom of the Seas was the largest cruise ship. That didn’t last long of course! Royal Caribbean is always looking for ways to make sure their guests are happy!

The first thing we did when we got on the ship was, you got it! Got a drink. How can you not get a drink when you’re about to walk the ship and layout on the lounges? We had a perfect day in Fort Lauderdale before we got on the boat, so of course, it was made better when we got ON the boat!

The second thing we did was get in our bathing suits and went to get in the cantilevered hot tub. Just imagine if you can. Sitting in the hot tub and knowing that the only thing from you falling into the ocean was the bottom of the hot tub! Talk about unhindered views.

When we got to Labadee Haiti, our excursion for the day was zip lining. Oh my. The zip line is called Dragon’s Breath. They have you do a training on a smaller zip line closer to the beach area.

Getting Ready for our Training!

Walking to our Doom

I look terrified!

The views were absolutely amazing!

This zip line claims its fame as the longest zip line of 2,600 feet over the water. It also goes over trees and a sandy beach. Speeds can reach up to 50 mph. The ride was exhilarating. I screamed most of the way down. Felt bad for the guy who went down next to me! Now, I’m going to admit how much of a wuss I was. The whole time up on the launch pad, I kept telling my friends. I can’t do this! What was I thinking, allowing you to talk me into this??? I must be out of my everloving mind. They just laughed at me and continued watching everyone going down before us. Disrespectful…

I was SO glad I did it though! It was scary, but it really was SO worth it. After we did the zip line, we lazed around on the beach, went swimming and shopped at the local merchant shops.

Our next stop was Ocho Rios Jamaica. We took the party boat to our next excursion of climbing up Dunn’s River Falls. Ummm. Party boat at 9 am? And they are VERY free with the Rum. Climbing the falls when you are tipsy is quite the experience!

Most of the way up the falls you do have to hold hands with everyone. Although, the workers there? They must have known exactly where to step. They were climbing right up the middle in bare feet. There are spots along the way up that you can stop and get good pictures.

It’s really not a bad climb, though. It gets a little slippery of course, but for the most part, it’s not bad at all. If you’re going, make sure to wear water shoes. Those helped a lot! Now, about that party boat. This is what happens when you drink too much rum on a boat…

As the comedian on the last night pointed out… No white woman should EVER get her hair braided like this. I can only blame the rum…

After we got off the party boat back at port, we went exploring Jamaica. Jamaica truly is a beautiful island. The people are very friendly. Always have a smile. I mean come on. Living on an island? Who wouldn’t be happy?

Our next port of the Royal Caribbean cruise was Grand Cayman. and then Costa Maya Mexico. In Grand Cayman, we took a cab to the Seven Mile Beach. They didn’t charge us to get there. Our driver told us to pay her when she came back to get us. We swam and laid out for a few hours. It was our day of nothingness. And it felt great. We went back to town and shopped of course. We had lunch at what I thought was Sr. Frogs, but I’m thinking it was Breezes. Either way, the food was great!

In Mexico, we did the all you can eat and drink excursion package. We had chairs. Went jet skiing. However, I will admit, after a few moments of this, I had my friend bring me back to shore! Staying on land I took pictures of them lol. We also went kayaking and a friend climbed the inflatable rock climbing wall, and we all had fun on the huge trampoline in the water. Sorry for my lack of pictures for the last two ports!

The days that we were at sea, we took in the sun, played games, watched shows and explored everything they had on the ship. But, I will say one thing. If you have ADD or ADHD? Make sure you bring your medication so you can focus. During a Royal Caribbean cruise, there is so much to do on the ships, you will want to do it all. And you can’t! Well, you can if you go on the same ship again and don’t get off at the islands. We talked to a few couples who have done that.

Have you been on a Royal Caribbean cruise before? Or any cruise? What was your favorite thing? What didn’t you like?

Here are some other pictures from the cruise ship :).

Yes, those are men in bras!

Here is a brief list of what you should include in your suitcases for your cruise!

We have never been on a royal cruise before. We were put off there when so many people were getting sick. Seems like they have improved and you had a great time. Those towels made into animals are fun and the food looks delicious.

The Royal Caribbean Cruise to the Western Caribbean would be so much fun. I have never been on a cruise before but would love to experience this cruise for my fist one as well. The falls look like it was an amazing adventure. Thanks for sharing your awesome experiences.

Cruise looks like such a fun! I really want to go on a Cruise! I want to enjoy the air breeze in the mid of the sea far from the noise and the hustle-bustle of cities where we live. Only the never ending sky and sound of the ocean. Imagining how the experience would be.

Ana, it is amazing! I went on a nine-day cruise last May to Bahamas and Bermuda. We had several days that were at sea. I’d just sit on the deck and look out at the ocean. As busy as I am? That felt like a luxury!

I recently went on my first cruise (Carnival) last November and it was so much fun! I never thought of myself as a cruise person but I enjoyed it so much that I’ve been looking to book a Royal Caribbean Cruise and a Disney cruise ASAP!

I have never joined a cruise yet. I remember a colleague of mine asking me if I would like to try it. I am still not sure if I can endure a cruise because I have a sea sickness. On the other hand, I think that you did well and you enjoyed your royal caribbean cruise. Aside from that, you have good photos out there. I love it.

I would love to go on a Royal Carribean cruise. My aunt has cruised with them a few times. I’ve only been on one, with another cruise line, and my son has been begging to do another one ever since. I’ve heard such great things about RC!

Sounds like you had an amazing time! I have never been to Jamaica or Haiti, only to Dominican Republic but I would love to go. That zip line does look pretty scary, I’m not sure I would have been able to do it!

Jocelyn, a friend of mine is afraid to be out in the middle of the ocean with no land around her. I keep trying to convince her, but as she can’t swim, I don’t think it’s going to happen. But a cruise is a great way to see multiple places in one vacation!

The following banners are programs that I am an affiliate with. At times links to these sites will appear in my posts. If you are interested in signing up or purchasing from them, please make sure to click the banner below!